Three former Wausau Kmart workers contract disease

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Three former Wausau Kmart workers contract disease

WBAY - Green Bay,WI

http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=5781785

WAUSAU, Wis. Three employees of a former Kmart store in Wausau have

contracted a mysterious disease.

The Marathon County Health Department is alerting other former

employees of the store that closed in April.

The three developed sarcoidosis (sar-koy-DOH'-sis), a disease that

causes the body to produce lumps of cells that can harm organ

function.

Doctors don't know exactly what causes the disease or how to prevent

it. But, some studies have suggested it might be caused by exposure

to bacteria or mold.

Former store manager Casta contracted the disease. He says in

the years leading up to Kmart's closure, the roof leaked, causing

ceiling tiles to sag, floor tiles to lift and a musty smell in parts

of the building.

A report by the state and county health departments found water had

leaked into the building, and there were high levels of dust. It

also noted bacteria, mold and other microorganisms throughout the

building.

The building has since been torn down to make way for an expanded

highway.

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Information from: Wausau Daily Herald,

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com